Revision as of 15:05, 23 August 2008

Federal military records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal archives. The United States Research Outline provides more information about these records.

To begin your search for Hawaiian military records, contact the Hawaii State Archives for the following:

Pre-1895. Service records of Hawaiian royal guards, militia units, and navy.

Civil War (1861-65).Card list of deceased veterans.

1894-98. List of members of the citizens guards of the Republic of Hawaii.

Spanish-American War (1898-1900). Card list of deceased veterans.

World War I (1917-1918)

Contact the Hawaii State Archives for records of Hawaiians who served in World War I and a card list of deceased veterans.

World War I draft registration cards for men age 18 to 45 may list address, birth date, birthplace, race, nationality, citizenship, and next of kin. Not all registrants served in the war. For registration cards for Hawaii, see:

United States. Selective Service System. Hawaii, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M1509. Washington, DC: National Archives, 1987-1988. (On Family History Library films beginning with 1452025.)

To find an individual's draft card, it helps to know his name and residence at the time of registration. The cards are arranged alphabetically by county, within the county by draft board, and then alphabetically by surname within each draft board.

Most counties had only one board; large cities had several. A map showing the boundaries of individual draft boards is available for most large cities. Finding an ancestor's street address in a city directory will help you in using the draft board map. There is an alphabetical list of cities that are on the map. For a copy of this map see:

United States. Selective Service System. List of World War One Draft Board Maps. Washington, DC: National Archives. (Family History Library film 1498803.)

World War II (1941-1945)

Records of Japanese evacuees during World War II are at the National Archives. They include case files, family cards, and vital statistics.